For many years, sports grounds were some of the most underused spaces in the country. With huge stands and dazzling expanses of perfectly kept turf at their disposal, they stood empty for the majority of the year, coming alive only for an occasional match or race meeting.
In the past 20 years this has all changed, as mounting overheads have prompted clubs and courses to look at ways of maximising their revenue. Moving into the meetings market was an obvious step, offering delegates the chance to enjoy relaxing views of greenery and a taste of sporting history.
But sports venues have not stopped at throwing their existing stands open to the public – many are developing new multimillion-pound conference facilities, and within a couple of years several will have four-star hotels on site for both spectators and delegates. Here are some of the most exciting options currently on offer in the sporting arena across the country.
LORD'S
This venerable cricket ground in the centre of London provides a sense of history like no other sports venue. The home of Marylebone Cricket Club – custodians of the global game until the end of the 20th century, when the International Cricket Council was created – moved to its current site in St John's Wood in 1814 and has undergone a facelift in recent years, helping to provide first-class facilities to match the cricket played out in the middle.
Even the bleached-blonde Australian leg-spinning legend, Shane Warne, is sensitive to the grandeur of the ground. "You can't help feel your skin tingle with the history that breathes around the place," he said before his final Test match at the ground in 2005.
Thanks to an £8 million restoration programme, the Victorian Grade II* listed Pavilion – one of the most historic and famous clubhouses in the world – can now boast 21st-century facilities. In addition to the Long Room (pictured above), through which Grace, Bradman, Sobers and the rest of the world's greatest players passed on their way to the wicket, the building offers a wide choice of meeting and conference venues. The new roof terrace, a 348 sqm space which spans the length of the Pavilion, provides dramatic views of the ground and can hold up to 250 for a reception. The cosier Writing Room, which houses famous paintings from the club's collection, provides an intimate settings for smaller functions.
At the other end of the ground the Investec Media Centre (main picture), winner of the Royal Institute of British Architects Stirling Award, hosts a 50-cover restaurant as well as tiered seating for presentations, product launches and meetings.
For larger events, Lord's has the Nursery Pavilion at the back of the ground. Covering over a quarter of an acre, the building is suitable for large awards ceremonies, dinners, and receptions. Other facilities include premises licensed to 1am, a screening room in the Museum, and the Tavern meeting rooms for working events.
DETAILS Day delegate rates from £70.50; Lord's Ground, London NW8; tel +44 (0)20 7616 8501; lords.org.
THE BRIT OVAL
Home of the Surrey County Cricket Club, the Brit Oval is one of the oldest Test match venues in the world. An oasis in the middle of south London, the ground has seen its fair shair of historic victories and crushing defeats since its foundation in 1845. For most people, however, its defining moment came in September 2005, when Kevin Pietersen – a South African – hit his way to a century and gave England their first Ashes victory for nearly 20 years.
Sadly, the national team subsequently buckled under the weight of expectation and sustained a 5-0 defeat in Australia in 2006-07, but the Oval has meanwhile been making the most of its day in the sun to attract businesses to inspect its newly renovated facilities, which were opened just in time to host that memorable Ashes clincher.
Started in 2002, the £25 million redevelopment involved the complete reshaping of the Vauxhall end of the ground, including the building of the landmark OCS Stand. This soaring structure is now as instantly recognisable as the gasometers which have long dominated the ground (pictured below), and also houses the ground's new events facilities.
The Oval Conference Centre can cater for larger functions with up to 500 delegates in the England Suite on the second floor, while for smaller events, planners can choose between suites (accommodating between 40 and 350) and private boxes (holding two to 50 guests). Most rooms have views of the pitch and the Pavilion, and blackout facilities are available.
Despite its cost, however, the new stand is only the first phase in a hugely ambitious project which will ultimately see the entire ground remodelled. The Oval has recently announced that it is in the early stages of planning for the next phase of its development, in partnership with the Arora International Hotel Group. The proposals would involve the improvement of existing facilities at the Pavilion end of the ground, with the creation of a new integrated stand and hotel design.
The existing Surrey Tavern is scheduled to be replaced with an elegant piazza, opening up the front end of the ground, while the Lock and Laker stands would make way for a new stand with an additional 2,000 seats, and a four-star hotel. HOK Sport, the world's leading stadia architects and the group who delivered the OCS stand, have once again been appointed as the design team for the new project.
Paul Sheldon, chief executive of Surrey County Cricket Club, says: "We are already in the early stages of discussion with Lambeth Council and our landlord, the Duchy of Cornwall, who have both expressed their support in principle for the project. There are also a number of local community and residents' groups with whom we will have extensive dialogue to ensure the project is truly a co-operative one."
DETAILS Day delegate rates from £61; The Brit Oval, Kennington, London SE11; tel +44 (0)20 7820 5737; ovalevents.com.
DONCASTER RACECOURSE
One of the highlights of this summer for turf enthusiasts will be the unveiling of this historic South Yorkshire track's newest incarnation. Racegoers will get their first glimpse of the new grandstand (shown here in a computer-generated image) in August, but will have to wait for the grand reopening until September 12, when the Ladbrokes St Leger – the world's oldest Classic race – returns to the course which has hosted it since 1776.
As well as raceday facilities, the £32 million trackside complex will include 3,500 sqm of purpose-built exhibition space, conference accommodation for up to 2,000 delegates, brand new catering services, and a range of restaurants, bars and hospitality suites. Parking is available for up to 3,000 vehicles and there is disabled access throughout.
Arena Leisure, which owns Doncaster, is also pressing ahead with plans for on-site accommodation for both racegoers and delegates. Construction will begin this summer on a four-star, 120-guestroom hotel next to the grandstand, to be operated by Millennium and Copthorne Hotels.
Doncaster has excellent transport links both within and beyond the East Midlands. The course is two and a half miles from the local station, which is on the main London-Edinburgh East Coast line, and seven miles from Robin Hood International airport.
DETAILS Day delegate rates from £41; tel +44 (0)1302 304211; doncaster-racecourse.co.uk.
CHESTER RACECOURSE
For charm and character, it's hard to beat Chester racecourse (known as "the Roodee"). Founded in 1539, this diminutive track lies on the banks of the River Dee and includes part of the Roman city walls. The tight, circular course offers a unique challenge to both horses and jockeys, and many hot favourites have gone down in flames at the famous three-day May Festival.
Chester is one of the few racetracks in the country owned by a small, independent firm, which adds a personal touch to both the raceday activities, and its extensive hospitality and conference facilities. These range from the Long Room, which has stunning views over the turf and can accommodate 300 theatre-style, to the five paddock rooms, which will each hold 20 boardroom-style and have their own kitchen, cloakroom and patio area.
Traditionally, racecourse catering has been at best sub-standard but at Chester this was handed over two years ago to Heathcotes Outside, a company run by award-winning chefs Paul Heathcote and Gary Bates. Heathcotes is also responsible for event planning at the course, under principal Phillip Dougherty, who was previously manager of the five-star Chester Grosvenor Hotel.
The track is easily accessible from three main roads – the M53, M56 and A55 – and the mainline station in Chester has direct links to London (two hours, 20 mins), Manchester (one hour) and Liverpool (45 mins).
DETAILS Day delegate rates from £38; tel +44 (0)1244 304607; chester-races.co.uk.
LINGFIELD PARK
Although Lingfield lacks the cachet of more famous courses, it is one of the busiest tracks in the country, hosting racing year-round on both its turf course and an all-weather surface. Home to the Lingfield Derby Trial – eight winners of which have gone on to victory in the Epsom Classic – it now also hosts the Winter Derby, the UK's premier all-weather contest.
For conference organisers, however, Lingfield's location just off the M25 is likely to be its biggest selling point. Set in the heart of the Surrey countryside, the course is nevertheless just 45 minutes by train from London and 15 minutes from Gatwick, making it a convenient option for international delegates.
The meetings facilities are extensive: up to 26 individual rooms are available for functions, from the 650 sqm Pavilion Suite – which can accommodate 350 theatre-style – to the more intimate atmosphere of a range of private boxes overlooking the course. Several of the rooms have blackout facilities, and all but one are wheelchair-accessible. As an added incentive, Lingfield boasts an 18-hole golf course adjoining the racetrack, so morning meetings can be combined with a round in the afternoon.
Lingfield has recently undergone a £5 million makeover, which included a refit of most of the bar and restaurant facilities, but a far more radical redevelopment is in the pipeline. The course has received outline planning consent for the demolition of two redundant stands and their replacement with a new, integrated leisure building housing improved racing entertaining facilities and a leisure club with swimming pool. Also currently under consideration are proposals for the addition of a 120-bedroom, four-star hotel and a linked replacement golf club house.
DETAILS Day delegate rates from £65, including two-course buffet lunch; tel +44 (0)1342 834800; lingfield-racecourse.co.uk.
MILLENIUM STADIUM
In a short space of time, the Millennium Stadium in Cardiff has become the one of the most striking icons of modern Wales. Opened in 1999, it is a uniquely multi-purpose venue, playing host to a range of sports as well as concerts by the likes of The Rolling Stones, Tina Turner, REM and U2.
The stadium's primary role is as the home of Welsh rugby – it was built on the site of the old Cardiff Arms Park – but it can also boast stellar football associations. It hosted the FA Cup Final while Wembley was in the throes of its prolonged redevelopment, and has been chosen as the venue for at least eight soccer matches during the 2012 Olympics.
And, thanks to its innovative retractable roof, the stadium was also the venue for the first match to be played under a closed roof in the UK – the FA Community Shield of 2001 between Manchester United and Liverpool.
As a new-build, the Millennium Stadium was designed with functions in mind, and the conferencing facilities are extensive. There are seven suites in total, ranging from the Millennium Suite on the fifth floor, which can hold up to 300 theatre-style and has BT Openzone wifi access, to the more intimate Westgate Plaza, holding 80 theatre-style. There are also 124 executive boxes looking out on to the pitch, while the 11,000 sqm arena itself can be hired for banqueting events, shows and exhibitions. An extensive menu selection is provided by caterers Letheby and Christopher.
DETAILS Day delegate rates from £38; Millennium Stadium, Westgate Street, Cardiff; tel +44 (0)29 2082 2467; millenniumstadium.com.
TWICKENHAM
This historic rugby venue in south-west London is currently undergoing a major redevelopment which will make it one of the most versatile and innovative sports venues in the country.
When completed, the new South Stand (pictured, artist's impression) will house a four-star Marriott hotel, Virgin Atlantic Classic leisure club and the offices of the sport's governing body, as well as a performing arts centre for the local residents.
The development is being opened in stages – the seating bowl and 34 of the new hospitality boxes were completed in time for the start of last autumn's rugby season, while booking for the rest of the facilities is due to start towards the end of this year.
In the meantime, the ground's existing 12 function rooms are available, including the main Rose Room, which can hold up to 400 theatre-style.
DETAILS Day delegate rates from £70; tel +44 (0)870 143 2400; twickenhamexperience.com.
OLD TRAFFORD
Nicknamed the "Theatre of Dreams" by legendary player and current club director Sir Bobby Charlton, Old Trafford has been the home of Manchester United Football Club since 1910. It was heavily damaged during the Second World War, but subsequent renovations and upgrades have resulted in today's capacity of over 76,000. It is the largest club stadium in the UK, and was the scene of the 2003 Champions League final, as well as several England matches during Wembley's seemingly endless rebuilding process.
Old Trafford's own redevelopment in recent years has boosted the site's conference and meetings space to nearly 3,000sqm, and the complex now boasts 24 suites ranging in capacity from four to 1,200 delegates. The stadium's largest function space is the Manchester Suite in the North Stand, which can hold up to 1,000 for dinner, with the option of splitting the room in two.
Smaller meeting spaces include the 1968 Suite (named for the year the red devils beat Benfica to become the first English Club to win the European Cup), themed around the "music, fashion and décor of the swinging Sixties", and the Trafford Suite, with centre-circle facing pitch views and a capacity of 150 theatre-style. The Europa Suite is a useful space for those looking for several breakout rooms, as it can be divided into a main room, capable of holding 250 delegates theatre-style, and three further soundproofed areas each with capacities for 50 people.
Recent expansion has also added a fine-dining restaurant, several bars and executive lounges, while for overnight conferences there is a Golden Tulip hotel opposite the ground, with 160 rooms.
DETAILS Day delegate rates from £50; Old Trafford, Manchester; tel +44 (0)870 442 1994, manutd.com.
EMIRATES STADIUM
Originally named Ashburton Grove after the site on which it stands, the new £390m Arsenal FC complex was renamed the Emirates Stadium following the airline's extended sponsorship of the London club. Completed in 2006, the stadium is the second-largest football club ground after Old Trafford, and the third-largest stadium of any kind in London after the new Wembley and Twickenham. The 60,000-capacity stadium is in fact just a few hundred metres from the Gunner's old Highbury haunt (which is now itself being redeveloped into housing), but the complex is light years away from the club's former home in terms of facilities and conference space.
The four main conference rooms (Royal Oak, Woolwich, Dial Square and Highbury) all have double-heighted, floor-to-ceiling windows with views of the pitch, state-of-the-art audiovisual equipment, wifi internet access and fully stocked bars. The Royal Oak suite can accommodate up to 500 delegates theatre-style and has inbuilt blackout facilities, while the Dial Square suite features ambient lighting for evening events and has a capacity of 400 people for dinner.
In addition to the main suites there are four Corner suites, also with pitch views, each of which can hold 150 delegates theatre-style or 500 for receptions. Meanwhile the 150 executive boxes can be used for breakout rooms (holding up to 15 delegates).
DETAILS Day delegate rates from £70 (minimum 50 for the Corner suites and 100 for the main suites); Emirates Stadium, London N5; tel +44 (0)845 262 0004, arsenal.com.
